Chelsea

Chelsea player ratings vs Barcelona: Niamh Charles and Magdalena Eriksson can't cope with Caroline Graham Hansen in Women's Champions League semi-final disappointment

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Caroline Graham Hansen Barcelona Chelsea 2022-23
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The Blues' defence struggled to contain the Barca winger as she followed up her goal at Stamford Bridge with one at Camp Nou

Chelsea battled hard but fell short of reaching the Women's Champions League final after losing 2-1 on aggregate in their semi-final second leg clash with Barcelona.

The Catalans were 1-0 up going into Thursday's second leg after winning at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and the Blues made it difficult for them again, with the deadlock not broken until Caroline Graham Hansen's opener after the hour.

Emma Hayes' side replied almost instantly through Guro Reiten and started to pose more of a threat to Barca from there, but they couldn't nick a goal that would've taken the game to extra-time.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players at Camp Nou...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Ann-Katrin Berger (6/10):

    Made a good save to deny Salma Paralluelo in the latter stages but didn't have much to do in the game despite Barca's dominance.

    Eve Perisset (7/10):

    Solid again, as she was in the first leg. Did well to ensure Barca didn't get much joy down her side.

    Jess Carter (6/10):

    Made a few mistakes but did well to put pressure on the Barca attack and thwart their efforts.

    Maren Mjelde (6/10):

    Generally a solid presence at the back, though there were a few more difficult moments for her than last week.

    Magdalena Eriksson (5/10):

    Had quite a few shaky moments and didn't get a lot of help from her wing-back.

    Niamh Charles (5/10):

    Needed to help Eriksson more at the back to deal with Graham Hansen. Didn't track enough.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Erin Cuthbert (7/10):

    Looked to be positive when she got the ball and battled well in midfield, as always. Was her tackle that started the attack that led to Chelsea's goal.

    Melanie Leupolz (6/10):

    Lovely pass to Kerr in the build-up to the goal. Her influence on the game grew as it went on.

    Jessie Fleming (7/10):

    Added quality on the ball when Chelsea were able to have possession.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Guro Reiten (6/10):

    Didn't get much service and struggled with her own final ball at times, too, but was on hand to finish the equaliser.

    Sam Kerr (6/10):

    Great run that led to the equaliser. Struggled with her hold-up play, though, and that meant Chelsea's ability to get forward was limited.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Lauren James (N/A):

    Came on with less than 15 minutes to go but couldn't impact the game.

    Pernille Harder (N/A):

    Came on alongside James and also struggled to have an influence.

    Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (N/A):

    Was subbed on with less than 10 minutes to go and couldn't get into the game.

    Emma Hayes (7/10):

    Hayes' decision to start Fleming was a good one, with her adding quality to Chelsea's possession, while the same five at the back system allowed the visitors to frustrate Barca again.